When you move to Portugal with a residence visa such as the D7 Passive Income Visa, D8 Digital Nomad Visa, D3 Highly Qualified Visa, or another long-term permit, one of the most important priorities is often bringing your family to join you.

Portugal’s Family Reunification Visa, commonly referred to as the D6 Visa, allows close family members to legally reunite with a resident already living in the country.

Through this process, spouses, children, and dependent relatives can join the main applicant and enjoy many of the same rights, including the ability to live, work, and study in Portugal.

Immigration Law Update 2025

Portugal introduced important changes to its immigration law in 2025 that affect family reunification applications.

Under the updated framework, most foreign residents must generally complete two years of legal residence in Portugal before applying for family reunification.

However, several exceptions may apply, including:

  • families with minor children
  • holders of the Portugal D3 Highly Qualified Activity Visa
  • Golden Visa investors
  • other specific cases under immigration law

In addition, if a couple has been together for at least 18 months, reunification may sometimes be requested earlier after 15 months of legal residence.

What Is the Portugal Family Reunification Visa?

The Portugal Family Reunification Visa allows close family members of a legal resident to obtain a residence permit and live together in Portugal.

The process applies to residents who hold Portuguese residence permits under visas such as:

Once approved, family members receive a residence permit linked to the main applicant’s status, giving them the right to live legally in Portugal.

friendship visa portugal residency advisors

Who Can Apply for Family Reunification in Portugal?

Eligible family members typically include:

  • Spouse or legally recognized partner
  • Children under 18
  • Dependent adult children who are unmarried and studying
  • Dependent parents of the main applicant or their spouse

In specific circumstances, additional relatives may qualify if they are financially dependent on the main applicant.

Family members may apply whether they are already in Portugal with legal entry or living abroad and planning to join the sponsor.

Benefits of the Portugal Family Reunification Visa

Family members who obtain residence permits through family reunification enjoy many of the same rights as the main resident.

Healthcare Access

Family members can access healthcare services in Portugal after obtaining a Número de Utente, which allows registration in the public healthcare system.

Right to Work and Study

Portugal supports family integration, meaning family members may work, study, or start a business in Portugal without requiring a separate work permit.

Schengen Area Travel

As Portugal is part of the Schengen Area, residence permit holders can travel freely within most European countries for short stays.

Pathway to Permanent Residence

Time spent living in Portugal through family reunification counts toward long-term residency. After meeting the legal residence requirements, family members may apply for permanent residence under the same conditions as the main applicant.

Portugal Family Reunification Requirements

To apply for family reunification, the main resident (sponsor) must meet several requirements evaluated by the Portuguese immigration authority, AIMA.

Typical requirements include:

  • The sponsor must hold a valid Portuguese residence permit
  • Proof of sufficient financial means to support the family members
  • Suitable accommodation in Portugal (rental contract or property ownership)
  • Documents proving the family relationship

Authorities generally assess financial capacity based on the Portuguese minimum wage, typically requiring:

  • 100% of the minimum wage for the main applicant
  • 50% for an additional adult
  • 30% for each dependent child

Children over 18 must also demonstrate financial dependency and enrollment in higher education.

Applicants usually need private health insurance during the application stage, although residents later gain access to Portugal’s public healthcare system.

Family Reunification Application Process

The application process depends on whether the family member is already in Portugal or living abroad.

Family Member Already in Portugal

If the family member has entered Portugal legally, they may submit the family reunification application directly to AIMA, either independently or through a legal representative.

Applicants must provide proof of legal entry and confirm that immigration rules were respected.

Family Member Outside Portugal

If the family member lives abroad, the process usually begins with a family reunification visa application at the Portuguese consulate or VFS visa centre in their country of residence.

After AIMA approves the request, the consulate issues the visa allowing the family member to travel to Portugal and complete the residence permit process.

Required Documents for Family Reunification

Typical documents required for a Portugal family reunification application include:

  • Valid passport
  • Passport-size photos
  • Travel or health insurance
  • Authorization allowing AIMA to check the Portuguese criminal record
  • Criminal record certificate from the applicant’s country of residence
  • Documents proving the family relationship (marriage or birth certificates)
  • Proof of accommodation in Portugal
  • Proof of financial means from the sponsor

Additional documents may be required depending on the specific circumstances of the application.

Portugal Family Reunification Processing Time

Processing times vary depending on the workload of the immigration authorities.

In many cases, AIMA may take up to 60 days to review the family reunification request, although timelines can vary depending on the complexity of the case and appointment availability.

portuguese passport

Validity of the Family Reunification Residence Permit

The residence permit issued through family reunification usually matches the validity of the sponsor’s residence permit.

If the main applicant holds a temporary residence permit, the family member’s permit will typically be issued for the same period.

After several years of legal residence, family members may apply for permanent residence or independent residence permits.

Family Reunification for Unmarried Couples

Family reunification in Portugal is not limited to married couples.

Non-married partners may also qualify if they can demonstrate a stable relationship similar to marriage, typically proven by at least two years of cohabitation.

Evidence may include:

  • joint tax declarations
  • proof of shared residence
  • joint bank accounts
  • insurance policies naming the partner
  • official declarations from local authorities

Whay Our Clients Say

Tim Evans
Tim EvansUSA
We began working with Portugal Residency Advisors (PRA) in April 2024 to consider residency in Portugal. Pedro Branco and Beatriz Garcia provided critical incite and information in helping us decide how best to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa Program. The most wonderful thing was that their advice was completely independent and they were not trying to sell us any investment scheme that they would benefit PRA. They provided professional advice and let us decide what worked best for us. We completed the process in less than two months. I highly recommend that you talk with them regardless of who you have talked with already.
Phyllis Kynas
Phyllis KynasCanada
My experience with Portugal Residency Advisors has been exceptionally good. Pedro Branco (client manager) provided me with clearly set out details of their services and costs and timeline. Right from the start, Beatriz Garcia (immigration lawyer) has promptly set out clearly what steps I needed to take for my visa application. She was always helpful and supportive (when I was feeling stressed by the process) and guided me through it with patience and a quick response. Portugal Residency Advisors took me through a complicated and detailed process efficiently and clearly, and I am sure that it would have taken me much longer, and with much more stress, without them.
Lyssa Adkins
Lyssa AdkinsUSA
I recommend to Beatriz Garcia and Portugal Residency Advisors completely. They helped us with our immigration meetings scheduling and preparation. I am quite sure that without Beatriz we would still be waiting for our immigration appointment. The onboarding process and documents collection process was incredibly smooth and professional.
Chyntia Sutton
Chyntia SuttonUSA
The best team of immigration attorneys in Portugal! Pedro and Fernanda were so attentive to every single question, nothing was too small or too big to handle for them. They guided us through every stage to the point of arrival in Portugal. They continue to be available to us whenever we have questions. We highly recommend them and we will add their contact information on one of our podcast episode as well. Thank you for your excellent expertise!
Ann-Marie Giustibelli
Ann-Marie GiustibelliUSA
Beatriz and Pedro were professional, kind most importantly (to me) is they were effective. They promptly answered all of my questions; even after my case was finished. I would hire them again in a second!
Francis Miles
Francis MilesUK
Pedro helped us through the legal minefield when purchasing a property in Portugal, along with the residency aspects as well. He is always on call, professional and extremely patient, and we are happy to recommend him and his company.
Andrew Symons
Andrew SymonsUK
Portugal Residency Advisors provided an excellent service. They took control of the whole residence permit application process, explained to me what was going on, gathered and presented all the required documentation. I received my permit 20 days after the application.
Mehmet Kidman
Mehmet KidmanTurkey
They are a highly successful team that you can completely trust and always get support from throughout our residency application process. We were very pleased with their immediate support regarding our issues.
Alejandro Castellano
Alejandro CastellanoSpain
Thank you, Pedro, for making my experience of moving to Portugal so lovely!
Piero Colafranceschi
Piero ColafranceschiItaly
Perfect assistance all along the process!

Pathway to Portuguese Citizenship

Family members who obtain residence permits through reunification can eventually apply for Portuguese citizenship.

Time spent living in Portugal under a valid residence permit counts toward the five-year residency requirement for naturalization.

Applicants must also meet other requirements, including maintaining legal residency and demonstrating basic knowledge of the Portuguese language.

Why Work With Us

Local Expertise

We know Portugal. Due to our extensive local knowledge, we believe that concentrating our services in a single country destination is the best way to give you the most thorough and useful information.

Honest Guidance

We recommend what’s best for you based on an extensive process experience that saves time and money to clients. Our pricing is clear and competitive, and we don’t sell services that make us more money.

All-in-One Solution

One single channel of communication for the entire process. We provide you with a comprehensive service that covers all aspects of your move, from identifying the ideal residency visa to finding your new home or helping you to settle.

Seamless Process

Technology plays a very important role in our company. We minimize our clients’ involvement in paperwork. We are customers ourselves and we know how to serve you.

Your Questions Answered

Yes. Family members who receive residence permits through family reunification have the right to work, study, and access healthcare in Portugal.

Processing times vary, but immigration authorities typically review applications within several months, depending on AIMA workload and appointment availability.

In most cases, applicants must first obtain their residence permit in Portugal before submitting a family reunification request.

Children born in Portugal may qualify for Portuguese citizenship under certain conditions, particularly if their parents have legal residence in the country.

Yes. Family members who are living abroad can apply for family reunification through the Portuguese consulate or VFS visa centre in their country of residence. Once the application is approved, they receive a visa allowing them to travel to Portugal and complete the residence permit process with AIMA.

Financial responsibility generally falls on the main resident (sponsor) in Portugal. The immigration authorities will assess whether the sponsor has sufficient income to support the family members joining them, usually based on the Portuguese minimum wage and additional percentages for dependents.

Yes. Family members who live in Portugal through family reunification can eventually apply for permanent residence after five years of legal residency, provided they maintain valid residence permits and continue to meet the requirements under Portuguese immigration law.

Portugal’s family reunification process allows residents to bring their closest family members to live with them in the country. Through this route, spouses, children, and dependent relatives can obtain residence permits and enjoy many of the same rights as the main applicant.

 

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